UtahH.B. 2602026 General SessionHouse

Unauthorized Practice of Law Amendments

Sponsored By: Anthony E. Loubet (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AttorneysJudicial AdministrationCrimesJudicial OperationsLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeStatute of LimitationsCivil Litigation

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Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Courts and Utah Bar protect legal clients

Beginning May 6, 2026, courts must award parties fees and costs caused by unauthorized legal practice in their proceedings. Courts can act on request or their own, strike filings, stop further practice before them, or refer cases to the Bar or prosecutors. The Bar’s Board can sue and, if it wins, seek client refunds, its reasonable legal costs, and other relief. Courts may also order up to $10,000 paid to a fund for clients harmed by dishonest people admitted to practice—not to each household. A finding or injunction requires proof that unauthorized practice more likely than not occurred; injunctions need no money damages and must have fair, reasonable terms.

Harmed clients gain remedies with filing deadlines

Beginning May 6, 2026, clients harmed by unauthorized legal practice can sue the person responsible. Winning clients must receive reasonable attorney fees and costs; courts may award damages, refunds, or orders stopping the conduct. Clients have three years from discovering the unauthorized practice, or when reasonable care should have led them to discover it. The Utah State Bar’s Board has three years after the conduct to sue. For continuous conduct, the Board’s three-year clock starts when the conduct stops.

Unauthorized legal providers face bans and penalties

Beginning May 6, 2026, unlicensed, suspended, disbarred, or court-barred persons cannot practice law in Utah or claim they are qualified. Legal and court-rule exceptions remain, including representing yourself in your own case, but not a claim assigned to you. The law preserves the Utah Supreme Court’s regulatory authority and lets the attorney general or county/district attorneys investigate and prosecute. Unauthorized practice is generally a class A misdemeanor. It becomes a third-degree felony for lying to a client about authorization, causing client losses or damages over $1,000, seriously impairing a legal right, or having a prior unauthorized-practice conviction.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Anthony E. Loubet
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Brady Brammer
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 182 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

Yes: 25 • No: 2

House vote • 3/6/2026

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

Yes: 71 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 2/6/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 62 • No: 4

House vote • 1/28/2026

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 1/28/2026

House Comm - Substitute Recommendation